Remove that bible?!!!

I just noticed that the "sponsored link" sitting right on top of mail in my gmail account, was this website www.removethatbible.com

This made me think: from the numerous hotels I've stayed at, I've never really paid attention to the Gideon bible - one of those things you take for granted.

I've never really gospelized by osmosis - the mere presence of a bible hidden in a drawer didn't do much for me, especially when it was sitting next to the Koran (hotels in Indonesia).

No, I am not mocking the mission of the Gideons (ironically, the little I know is from the above website). The words within, whilst doesn't quite convert the book into a "Holy Book" like some sort of talisman, is the very words as inspired by God himself.

It is the very power of God - the same power that through mere words, created the very universe we exist in, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead, it is the same power of God that will bring salvation to those who believe - not by man's words or wisdom.
And for those whom God moved heaven and earth for, so that they would "chance" upon the Gideon bible so inconspicuously placed in the bed side drawer - Hallelujah!

Yes, pure foolishness of the Gideons to hope for such miracles, but since when has the wisdom of man outsmarted the foolishness of God?

Go Go Gideons!

ok, excuse the digression, back to the petition.

Now, I'm not really surprised about such a petition. As Paul writes (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

But thanks be to God, who... through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of [Jesus] For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

Yes, the good news of Christ, is a double-edged sword, and those who don't know God, they can't stand it - a foul stench, the "smell of death". And people have hated that smell from the beginning, culminating with them killing Jesus to rid of his smell. And people will keep hating this "smell of death", sadly blind to the aroma of life, even in this day and age.

They much prefer Famous Amos' "Free Smells"... the cookie that saves... NOT!

No, I say let's an eye for an eye. I am proposing my own online petition - so sign up here!

http://www.removethatpetitiontoremovethatbible.com/

He's Everything To Me

Elliot led a song a coupla weeks ago during offering.
It's was extremely nostalgic for me, a song I knew from growing up, singing in our youth group - but not since I left my old church some 20 years ago (eekks! I'm that old?!!!)

Not speaking theologically, but the song sung and its arrangement was just brilliant - a jazzed up version, really classy. Great job guys!

And thanks for the memories.

He's Everything To Me

In the stars His handiwork I see,
On the wind He speaks with majesty,
Though He ruleth over land and sea,
What is that to me?

I will celebrate Nativity,
For it has a place in history,
Sure, He came to set His people free,
What is that to me?

Till by faith I met Him face to face,
and I felt the wonder of His grace,
Then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn't care,
That lived a way out there and

Now He walks beside me day by day,
Ever watching o'er me lest I stray,
Helping me to find that narrow way,
He's Everything to me.

Ralph Carmichael

My Funeral Service

It's never too late to think about dying.

My daughter prayed the other morning, for the kids to behave well, so that if daddy dies, they can take care of mommy - or something like that. Hmm... not quite sure whether it is a good prayer or not...

ok, about death, more specifically, what happens at my funeral service.
I saw "the weatherman" or something like that, with Nicholas Cage in it.
Not such a great show, but Nicholas' character had a living funeral service for his dad who was about to die. Not such a bad idea really.
But in the event that my wife/kids don't get the chance to, a after-I-die service will do - not much of a choice anyway.

Songs
These are the songs I wish sung
1. Amazing Grace - good story abt my life. God did pluck me out of sin, and only thru his grace I have been redeemed. Great funeral hymn, ends in great triumph - lots of people will cry.
2. God Sent His Son - another great old song I grew up with, a reminder of God's big plan, how can we not live for God, after what God has done for us?
3. In Christ Alone - one of my fav "modern" songs, esp the version by the iWorship series. what a great reminder of the basis of our salvation.
4. There Is A Higher Throne - [updaed 19Feb07] -thanks Anon for reminding me of the title. What a beautiful picture painted, but u know what? it ain't nothing compared with the real stuff!
5. It Is Well, With My Soul - [updated 7Mar07] - I hope that my family can sing this. This is of course no theoretical feel good hymn, but this is written by Horatio G. Spafford as the ship he was on, passed the place where his 4 daughters perished a few weeks earlier. Only the wisdom of God can help a man say it is well - what a powerful testimony.

[will add songs progressively]

Sermon
Hopefully lots of non-Christians family and friends will be there.
And hopefully ChrisChia will be around and available to speak (we were the first he married... if i don't remember wrongly).
Not sure how many services there are, but the sermon has got to be evangelistic please.
Maybe a passage on Revelation 20/21- coz that'll be reality for me then!
yes, make people envious - see lah, who ask u not to know Jesus and then die earlier than me?

Attire
oh please - none of that black and white only clothing.
how abt orange, yellow or lime green only - plus everyone has to wear crocs!
ok, something cheery - its a time of celebration, I have fought the good fight, I have won the race and receive my crown of righteousness - yes celebration time.

Coffin
Cremation is the order of the day. how abt something dramatic afterwards like sprinkling of ashes into the sea/ocean? none of that ashes in vase, stuck in some concrete hole stuff.
hopefully i'm not remembered by just my ashes.


oh yes, coffin. I'd prefer something cheap, but unique - not those boring lacquered wooden coffins. how abt something like this? but painted orange?

I'm not so sure I want my dead body to be seen - u can leave it sealed.
somehow, dead bodies look nothing like what they are when alive.

Organ Donation [updated 7March07]
Now, I don't really mind donating what left of me that can be recylced. But one small request, which came to mind after reading this - WAIT TILL I AM REALLY DEAD!!!! I would really like the benefit of that one more day, really.

But if I'm brain dead, and after my 1 day's grace and things don't improve, then to my family: pls don't waste money keeping the life machine on.

Anyway, I don't think I would really like being recalled back, after getting to be with Jesus.

Parenting 102

AAARRGGGHHH!

Another complain from teacher, this time Malay teacher abt forgetting to bring textbooks, and not doing work.
Decided to check bag, after being assured that it is packed properly, and all work done.... found abt 4 worksheets accumulatedly undone! plus lots of rubbish and unnecessary books brought, whilst the right ones are left behind.

My theory was to train the child up to be responsible, meaning give instruction, expect child to obey, and handle consequence - consistently. Theoretically, child will learn... right? wrong.
It's just a viscious cycle... of carelessness, absent-mindedness, and plain laziness. After each rebuke, feel sorry, but back to square one.

So last night, I sat down w my oldest boy, checked each sheet that it was properly done, got him to empty out whole bag, and show me each item being put in. The rest, either throw or file - properly.
Somehow, I felt sorry for him (yes, had to punish him for lying to me during weekend, to wife) and compassionate as I sat next to him. Am trying to be more patient and loving - but not so easy.

Gotta remind myself that training in righteousness is long haul. It took me abt 21 years, before I came to know the Lord... and my son is only 9... but I don't remember me being so difficult!
Then again, that's according to me... don't ask my folks.

and it could be worse... at least I don't have to homeschool him...

DG 101

New material
After a year of having to write our own studies, the church (Adam Road Presbyterian Centre) has decided to give us a break, and try out study guides again. Ironically, whilst initially thot it a "drag" coz of time commitment, I enjoyed writing my own studies, like my Uni days.
Now I have to fight the temptation of a lazy prep, the questions are all there, and even the answers!

But I do like these Pathway Bible guides we're using for Discipleship Group, this time covering Luke 9-12 over 7 studies.

PrimaFacie, it is theologically simple. Questions/material provided not as cheem/detailed as the normal Mathias Media studies we've been using. It even comes with leader's notes (maybe i should remove that section from everyone else, so that i can really appear smart - ha!)

Well, where it does well, is in the application part - where it gives us the opportunity to hit it home, and let the rubber hit the road - and that's the hard part. I've had a good opportunity to meditate on it myself, as well as drill this in the DG.
The starter questions are also pretty good - considering most others are pretty cliche, and i've always had trouble thinking up of good ones when writing my own.

New members
We've had a few nearly new members last year, but some reasons or other didn't work out. So we stayed pretty much the same numbers - which is good, coz we got to know each other, and were able to share more.

This year Athena, hubby SoonMeng and mom Ann, decided to join us, after their JFN group moved to Tuesday - and they prefer a Sunday. Whilst it does change the dynamics a little, it's good for the group I think, that it forces us out of our comfort zone - especially me, coz I'm "forced" to observe, listen, and see how we can integrate.
Well, it's a great encourage to me, for Ann, who is more "matured" than the rest of us - that she recently came to know Jesus, and now hungry to learn lots. It's great that our new friends are open, asking questions, and willing to share.

[19Feb update: Getting another couple from same DG as Athena & gang. Thanks Marie!]

Old workplace bible study group
Been trying to encourage my old workplace DG to meet up (stopped since I left abt 3 months ago... and I feel partly responsible...).
I must learn to trust in the Lord, that He will look after His flock, and that it isn't up to me 100% (thank God!) - Faithful we must be, but Trusting even more.

[19Feb update: sigh... this has died an unnatural death. Somehow, trying to meet up isn't working, and I have given up "nagging" - but not giving up on praying for em!]

oh yes, must remember to work on consistency of prayer life.
Just covered study in Luke on Parable of Annoying friend (my words), just after Lord's prayer. Need to be persistent.